Maine Small Claims Evidence Checklist: What to Bring to Court

Prepare Three Evidence Packets

For an in-person Maine small claims hearing, bring the original documents plus two complete hard copies of every exhibit: one copy for the judge, one for the opposing party, and the original for the court record or witness stand. Organize them into three packets before you go.

Documents uploaded to eFileMaine or sent to the clerk do not automatically substitute for physical exhibit copies at an in-person hearing unless the judge specifically orders otherwise. For a remote hearing, deliver exhibits to the court and opposing party in advance as instructed by the clerk.

What Counts as Evidence

Maine small claims hearings are informal. The formal rules of evidence don't apply, except for rules about legal privilege (attorney-client communications, for example). The judge may receive nonprivileged testimony and documents, and may exclude material that is irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious. That means your threshold is lower than in a regular civil case — but you still need to be organized.

Documents:

• Written contracts, service agreements, or purchase orders
• Invoices, itemized bills, and repair estimates
• Receipts for payments made or materials purchased
• Bank statements showing deposits, withdrawals, or transfers
• Canceled checks (front and back)

Communications:

• Text message threads (print the full conversation, not just the helpful parts)
• Email chains with dates and headers visible
• Voicemail transcriptions with dates and caller ID
• Letters or written notices with envelopes and postmarks

Visual evidence:

• Dated photographs of damage, completed work, or property condition
• Screenshots of relevant online posts or listings
• Video stills (if you have video, print key frames and note that the video exists)

Third-party records:

• Inspection reports
• Contractor licenses or insurance certificates
• Police or incident reports
• Medical bills related to the dispute

How to Organize Your Packets

Don't hand the judge a loose pile of papers. Use this structure:

1. Number each exhibit sequentially (Exhibit 1, Exhibit 2, etc.)
2. Create a one-page index listing each exhibit by number with a brief description
3. Arrange exhibits chronologically — the judge wants to follow the timeline of events
4. Staple or clip each exhibit separately so pages don't get mixed between documents
5. Label photos with the date taken, what's shown, and who took them

Make all three packets identical. If you have 12 exhibits, each packet has the same 12 exhibits in the same order with the same index page on top.

Printing Digital Evidence

Text messages and emails are where most people struggle. For text messages:

• Screenshot each relevant message with the contact name, date, and time visible
• Print screenshots at a readable size — shrinking 40 texts onto two pages makes them illegible
• Include both sides of the conversation, not just the messages that support your case

For emails, print the full email with headers (From, To, Date, Subject) visible. Don't copy-paste email text into a Word document — the judge needs to see it came from an actual email account.

Photos taken on your phone should be printed at a reasonable size (4×6 or larger) on regular paper or photo paper. Include the metadata date if possible, or write the date you took the photo on the back.

Documents to Bring Even If You Don't Use Them

• A government-issued photo ID (remote participants should be prepared to present valid photo identification)
• Your copy of the Statement of Claim (Form SC-001) and Notice of Hearing
• Any correspondence with the plaintiff about settlement
• A written timeline of events (for your own reference while testifying)
• A notepad for taking notes during the plaintiff's testimony

What Not to Bring

• Evidence about the plaintiff's character, past lawsuits, or unrelated disputes
• Duplicate versions of the same document
• Expert opinions you haven't arranged for (witnesses need to appear in person or be subpoenaed)
• Anything privileged — conversations with your attorney, if you have one

If Your Hearing Is Remote (Zoom)

Some Maine District Courts conduct small claims hearings by Zoom. For remote hearings, the clerk will instruct you on how to submit exhibits in advance. You'll typically need to email or upload copies to the court and the opposing party before the hearing date. Have your physical copies ready anyway — technical issues happen, and the judge may ask you to hold documents up to the camera.

The Responding to a Small Claims Case in Maine guide includes a printable Evidence Packing List worksheet that walks you through gathering, printing, and organizing your evidence into three packets.

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